Before The Portrait ShootI was really stoked to hear from Ansley and Garrick, a couple from Singapore who decided to celebrate their recent engagement with a pre-wedding photo shoot. Throughout our email exchange, Ansley had acute wishes about what she wanted and was even more specific about what she didn't want. The couple was opposed to catalogue shots and wanted to stay away from portraits that are as common as Coca Cola. They wanted something more, something that highlighted them as a couple. The pair had obviously done their research to find their perfect photographer in Tokyo. They realized that most of my portrait clients hire me for artistic imagery and a customized portrait experience. Ansley and Garrick had been to Japan before. In fact, Japan is where they really fell in love. So, instead of shooting downtown at Shibuya crossing or in the glitz of Shinjuku, we decided to incorporate some of the things that Ansley and Garrick love most about Japan. Check out some of the highlights from Ansley and Garrick's custom engagement portrait session below. The Engagement SessionTokyo, JapanKichijoji 12:15 p.m. on a Saturday I immediately noticed Ansley coming up the elevator next to the coffee shop where I waited. Ansley was smiling and her fiancé, Garrick, looked well put together. I realized immediately that my clients were not only punctual but were in a good mood. I knew it was going to be a great day of portraits. I quickly got up from my latte, gave Ansley a hug and greeted Garrick with a firm handshake. We sat down and chatted about our day. I assured them that our portrait session would be painless and that I had a great afternoon planned for them. With our introductions done and a plan made, we headed off to a local ramen restaurant for lunch. There, these two kiddos chowed down on Japanese ramen, one of Ansley and Garrick's favorite Japanese dishes. Bellies full, we decided to leisurely walk off the ramen in the streets of Tokyo, stopping along the way for a portrait or two. Our next stop was the Calico Cat Cafe, a location that I scouted especially for Ansley and Garrick. One of the oldest cat cafes in Tokyo, Calico has a relaxed atmosphere. Since I had done my research, I knew that Calico had enough space for me to strap on a long lens and let the couple have a bit of a date. My cat loving clients wasted no time and were immediately relaxing and interacting with several breeds of furry friends. From the side lines, I happily snapped away. We said sayonara to the kitties and rolled the hair off of our clothes. Out of the cat cafe, we moved to our last location of the day. Weeks before our shoot I had scoured Tokyo looking for a bamboo grove that would be private enough for Ansley and Garrick to feel comfortable. I was eager to show Ansley and Garrick the grove as incorporating bamboo into our day was one of Ansley's requests. Once inside the massive grove, we took the time to relax and to snap the closing set of our engagement photography session. Congratulations Ansley and Garrick! I was honored to be your photographer in Tokyo and wish you great happiness and joy in your marriage.
Thank you Beckways for selecting me as your couples portrait photographer. I can't wait for our next session together.
A Love StoryTheir story starts like many others. A friend invites you to hang out and there happens to be a girl/guy there. You get to talking. The next thing you know, that talking has quickly moved on to flirting. You know the drill. But for Andrea and Ed, the next move was a curve ball. Most couples would move in together or introduce their newly found love to their gran. Oh no. Andrea decided to move from Ecuador to Asia, about as far away from Ed as she could possibly go. To most, that would be the end of it. Ed was having none of that. Attraction is a powerful thing and Ed just couldn't stand it. He had to have her. A couple months later, Ed and Andrea are both in Asia (imagine that) and they aren't flying to their next destination solo. Cliche, but cute none-the-less. Congrats to you, Andrea and Ed! I was honored to be your engagement photographer. I am always excited to work with couples who are about to tie the knot. If you are searching for a custom pre-wedding session in Tokyo, please do browse examples of my work with couples and then contact me directly to reserve your session.
Boudoir For Two?Most couples who contact me for couples or engagement portraits want an outdoor session filled with natural light, soft colors and hand holding. When Chantal and Tom contacted me, I was expecting to pack up the gear and head out to one of Tokyo's many scenic parks or to a tree lined waterway outside of the city. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this couple wanted nothing ordinary. They wanted a couple's boudoir session. Seeing that I frequently shoot boudoir photography, this newly engaged couple decided to contact me to capture their romantic side. Usually, boudoir sessions are commission by individuals, not couples. Yet, Chantal and Tom went even further past the norm. The love birds didn't want a soft and frilly couples boudoir set to celebrate their engagement. They wanted dark and moody images. I was very impressed that Chantal and Tom had done their homework and were able to communicate exactly what they envisioned for their shoot. They wanted romantic, chic and sexy photographs that were still tasteful and could be shared with their friends (maybe not their moms). While not a typical couple's session, I had a blast with these two and hope that they can keep the passion alive for years to come. Where are the rest of the images from this couples boudoir set? Those are for Chantal and Tom only. Congrats on the engagement lovebirds!
Meet the HurtsIt is a familiar scene to any photographer used to taking portraits of couples. One of the pair is stoked about having a portrait session and cannot wait to get some decent shots to share with their family and friends. The other is in their own private hell. To some, being posed in front of a camera for an hour or two is akin to chewing glass or having a lobotomy. A seasoned photographer should immediately realize that a client doesn't want to have their photo made. It isn't hard to see. The client's body posture says it all. If posture doesn't give their attitude away, the forced smile they give on the first set of shots surely will. A photographer's job is much more than snagging a shot or capturing a smile just at the right moment. A photographers job is also to turn Moody Marty (or Martha) into Positive Peter (Paula). Photography, especially for a foreign photographer in Tokyo, is a people business. Tony and Shanna Hurt are two of the most laid back, positive people you could ever meet. That is why I was so surprised to hear that one of these lovebirds hates to have their picture made. As soon as the Hurts arrived for our shoot, I was informed that I had my work cut out for me. I assured the Hurts that I love a good challenge. While the first several shutter clicks didn't produce any gold, it didn't take long for the couple to relax and get into a groove. Taking short breaks in between sets and me pretending to "test the light" gave the Hurts the chance to relax, chat with each other and even steal a kiss. Before they knew it, the Hurts' 90 minute couples session was finished. The couple did an amazing job as models (the photos prove it). Good luck in Pakistan Tony and Shanna! Smiling Is GoodThere are some portrait sessions that go well because I am happy with the quality of photos that are produced. Then there are shoots that are successful because the clients are simply happy people. My anniversary shoot with Marilou and Erik Anderson was awesome because of both reasons. Despite the early start, the Andersons were all smiles and laughs. As we started our day, I could tell that these two were prepared to have a good time. We started our day as far away from other humans as we could get. Several days before, I scouted a location that was perfect for the Anderson's anniversary shoot. We were in nature and out of the way of the massive throngs found in urban areas. After leisurely shooting on hills, near flowers and in creeks, we worked our way back to civilization. My clients were still smiling and I was impressed with how this couple was eager for more even after two hours of shooting. So we kept going. After three hours of fun, we decided that call it a day. The Anderson's and I exchanged high fives and hugs. I was so pleased to be a part of this couple's special day. Happy anniversary Marilou and Erik! Thank you for choosing me as your anniversary photographer. Best of luck! Make A Photo Session Part Of Your TripI have never really thought about what my wife and I choose to do on vacation. We get out and see the temples and go for a motorbike ride. We check out the statues and the national museum. We walk on the beach or take a stroll through the markets. Though it seems that we spend most of our time on vacation time laying in the hotel bed eating Pringles and Dewberry cookies. It has never crossed my mind to have a couple's photography session on vacation. I am always very impressed when couples decide to reach out and request a portrait session as part of their vacation. I feel honored that they would want to spend some of their precious time with me. Needless to say, I was stoked when Melvin and April, a couple from Singapore, requested an engagement session last weekend. After some international correspondence, it seemed that the couple wished to kill a couple of birds with a single stone by getting engagement photos made while experiencing Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village. Despite the throngs of tourists, the idea was genius. Congrats Melvin and April! |
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